World News – Charlotte Waltonhttp://www.charlottewalton.co.uk
Digital and Content MarketingFri, 09 Dec 2016 12:12:12 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.449564583Your Right to Vote…or Not.http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2016/06/your-right-to-vote-or-not/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2016/06/your-right-to-vote-or-not/#respondMon, 20 Jun 2016 19:25:05 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=1735In 4 days time the UK will have decided whether we’re going to remain in the European Union, or whether we’re going to venture out on our own.

Now I’ve had multiple discussions with friends, family and colleagues on whether they’re #VoteLeave or #VoteRemain…and a lot of them are neither. They fall in the ‘I don’t know’ Camp.

I know how I’m voting. I’m voting in, for reasons that are personal to my current situation. But the one thing that I’ve held on to throughout the whole campaign is that I know the outcome will not suit everyone. Taxi drivers will vote differently to farmers. Likewise, students will most probably vote differently to pensioners.

As a woman, I understand the struggles that our ancestors went through to fight for equality, to fight for our right to have our voices heard. But we fought for the right to vote. For the right to speak our minds.

So why shouldn’t we have the right not to vote?

Speaking with family over the weekend, it became even more clear to me that there are more people that don’t really know which way to vote. When asked which way they were voting, one of my relatives said “Conservative”. Well if we take a look at the Conservative party as it stands…that doesn’t really give me much of a clue as to which way you’re voting.

I’ve spoken at length with friends about voting, and the importance of voting. But it is my opinion that if you don’t have the information you need to make a sure and solid decision on which way to vote, then you simply shouldn’t. I would much rather people use their right not to vote, than to make an uninformed decision under the duress.

If you’re still undecided, I urge you to take some time over the next 2 days to do some research. Take 15 minutes during half-time of the England v Slovakia game tonight to find out whether leaving the EU would have a direct affect on your life. Use your lunch break tomorrow to get expert opinions on exactly how leaving or staying will impact the economy. Everyone has a reason choosing whether to stay or whether to go. Find out yours.

On Thursday people will wake up, leave their house and vote on their way to work, University or to do their weekly shop. Tired workers will journey home and remember last minute to nip to the polling station on their way past.

It’s up to you whether you vote. Remember; you have the right to vote. But you also have the right not to. The decision is yours.

We don’t always get the kind of work we want, but we always have a choice of whether to do it with good grace or not.

Sir Christopher Lee (1922 – 2015)

This week we lost a legend. A true maverick of the film industry.

Christopher Lee, best known from such films as Star Wars, The Wickerman, James Bond and Lord of the Rings, led an exceptional life. From playing Bond villain to the most famous vampire of all time, Count Dracula, Lee wowed audiences all around the world with his scintillating performances.

I remember the first time I saw him on screen. It was his appearance in my all time favourite saga; Star Wars. His performance of Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones left me with shivers. He was able to command the scenes that he was in with ease. The actors had a respect for him that it takes many a lifetime to cultivate. It gave me the inspiration to go back and watch his earlier works.

His most notable role of the modern day was as Saruman the White in the onscreen adaptations of J.R.R Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. The Return of the King was the first and only of the three that I saw on the big screen. But his appearances in all three were of real power and overwhelming elegance.

Something that most people didn’t know about him was his passion for heavy metal music. In 2010 and 2013 he released albums under the moniker ‘Charlamagne’. In 2012 and 2013 he released back to back Christmas albums; A Heavy Metal Christmas & A Heavy Metal Christmas Too. He became the oldest living performer to feature in the music charts with Jingle Hell at the age of 91.

He was a man that in films we loved to hate. He was a man that in life we loved to love. He was a pure genius. One that the world will grieve for years to come.

A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. – Melinda Gates

To all the women out there; my friends and family, those I will know in the future and those I may never know. You are all perfect.

Love yourself, be kind to yourself and continue to be yourself. Because yourself is who you should always strive to be.

Much love.

]]>http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2015/03/happy-international-womens-day/feed/01411Meow.http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2014/08/meow/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2014/08/meow/#respondFri, 08 Aug 2014 21:02:55 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=1188For those who don’t know of today’s global holiday, I myself had no clue, today is World Cat Day.

Now instead of looking at all the pretty kitties….I’m not a fan of cats in general, I urge you to use today to do some good.

A hundred years ago there were 100,000 tigers in the wild. Today there are as few as 3,200.

This is a quote direct from the Save Tiger Now campaign by the World Wildlife Fund and supported by Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Their goal is to try and double the amount of wild tigers by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger.

This is a campaign that I support fully. Tigers have always been a great passion of mine. The sheer ferociousness of the animals, all the while being both graceful and extremely dopey at the best of times! It is a dream that I will one day be able to visit tigers in their natural habitat, seeing them where they belong. Some people don’t have the same opinion as me though. They see tigers as a means to an end, killing them for their skins or bones. Even the thought of it has my fists clenching.

Now I don’t want to grovel and beg for you to donate towards this campaign, I don’t work that way. Instead all I ask is for you to go and visit their site (which can be found here), have a look around and find out about ways that you can help the cause.

P.S – This is my favourite cat video of the day. Tau and Napolean must be in the spotlight. Help celebrate World Lion Day with them this Sunday, 10th August.

June brought with it ‘Wicked Wednesday’ on the green grass of Wimbledon. In similar fashion the spirits were out to play today causing more upset in the world of tennis, this time on the clear blue hard courts in Melbourne, Australia.

Australian Open quarter-final day. The line up teasing us with some spectacular tennis performances. 3 nail biting matches with shock results.

Djokovic vs Wawrinka:

As the reigning Men’s Singles champion, Djokovic was the clear favourite to win. At 15-2 in the head to head this should have been a walk through for Novak. This wasn’t the case today. I must admit, I only managed to catch the match in the final set. But from highlights and commentaries I have seen it was clear Stan was the worthy winner. In the 30 minutes I saw them play in the 5th set Stan was maintaining a high level of tennis, driving the ball forward, hitting the corners forcing Djokovic to try and defend. Novak, being one of the greatest defenders in the game, seemed lost for ideas at times hitting a number of unforced errors that he really shouldn’t have. And so lead to the demise of the defending (in all sense of the word) champion. Meaning this year a new champion will be crowned.

Azarenka vs Radwanska:

In similar fashion the reigning Women’s Singles champion was in play, facing the world number 5, Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska. This was to be an exhibition of top-class tennis with some points of pure wonder. However, this level of playing was only present from one half of the court. Whether she wasn’t fairing in the heat or had picked up a niggle somewhere, it was clear that Azarenka was not in her element. Expressions of pain and discomfort adorned her face in a number of moments throughout the match, making it clear that the world number 2 wasn’t happy. With the show Radwanska was putting on, I’m not surprised in the slightest. At times Vika had Radwanska running between either ends of the court along the baseline, trying to exhaust her opponent. It didn’t work. Agnieszka was managing to squeeze her points through at every moment possible, hitting some of the most unbelievable winners I have ever seen in my life. Azarenka didn’t go down without a fight, pushing the match to 3 sets, but it was just not meant to be for the Belarusian.

Federer vs Murray:

This for me wasn’t the most surprising of results. Both men not at the top of their game at the end of 2013; Federer slipping down to 7th in the world, his lowest ranking in years, being knocked out in the early stages of Grand Slams by unseeded players. Murray wasn’t having the best time himself, having not played a full tournament in 4 months after having serious back surgery for a long withstanding injury. But despite that, these two men gave us a match of pure entertainment. Murray himself had no expectations of getting this far in to the tournament, and yet didn’t blame his defeat on any form of unfitness. He was gracious in his demise, praising Roger for proving the press wrong, the Swiss gentleman is going nowhere.

My Predictions (winner):

Women’s Final: Agnieszka Radwanska vs Eugenie Bouchard

Men’s Final: Rafael Nadal vs Stanislas Wawrinka

With the first Grand Slam of 2014 finishing in mere days, only time will tell if today’s results have any bearing of the end of the year rankings. I for one think there will be a lot of ‘shuffling’ to be done.

]]>http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2014/01/an-upset-down-under/feed/01066And to all a goodnight.http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/12/and-to-all-a-goodnight/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/12/and-to-all-a-goodnight/#respondTue, 31 Dec 2013 14:59:03 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=1037The festive season is almost over once more. Tonight Big Ben will ring in the new year and the cycle will restart. 365 more days until the next. So this is the time for us to give thanks for the year just gone. Sorry to my American friends, I know you did this a month ago. And my Canadian friends, you took part in this two months ago! My apologies!

I know a year never really goes by without hardships. I myself have been through some tough times over the past year. But we always have those around us that pick us back up and carry us forward. For me, my family and friends are my rock. Without them I would not be where I am today, and for that I am, and always will be, truly grateful.

But this next year, 2014. For me, this year will be focused on growth. And no, I don’t want to be 6ft or anything like that. I am of course talking about developing myself as a person. I’m not trying to say I’m a horrible person, I don’t want to give anyone that impression. But there are things that I can work on, and this is something I plan to do over the upcoming year.

But I think my true New Years Resolution is not to have any resolutions. This idea of setting yourself goals, or giving yourself something that you have to do by this time the next year baffles me. Surely your resolutions shouldn’t be something you should be doing, but something you want to be doing. Get out there, have fun, experience new places and do it now before that thing called ‘life’ gets in the way. We should never limit ourselves to what we can do, because limits were made to be broken.

]]>http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/12/and-to-all-a-goodnight/feed/01037It’s an Instagram moment.http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/10/its-an-instagram-moment/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/10/its-an-instagram-moment/#commentsTue, 22 Oct 2013 22:49:34 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=980Tuesday 22nd October 2013, a sigh of relief is heard from the mouths of the thousands of Windows Phone users around the globe.

For exactly a year I have owned the beauty below (Nokia Lumia 800). Deciding not to conform to the ‘social norm’ that todays teenagers, and my Mum, believe to be right I chose not to buy an iPhone. Windows was going to be the next big thing. I could feel it. But there was always one thing letting me down.

3 years ago, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger launched a global phenomenon. A simple photo-sharing (later video-sharing) service, where users could add effects to their photos at the click of a button creating visual masterpieces. Instagram was born.

I was stoked. Photography has always been one of my life’s passions and I couldn’t wait to try it out. Of course at this time I didn’t have a phone capable of harnessing this great power and so I resorted to my trusty iPod Touch. I was posting photos by the second. Other users got to enjoy pictures of my dog, to see what I was reading, more pictures of my dog, my daily cup of tea. Did I mention my dog? (Yes, there are a lot of canine photos)

So when I got my new phone I was ecstatic. An 8 mega-pixel camera, in comparison to the shabby 0.7 mega-pixels that my iPod offered? This is an absolute goldmine! Now imagine my dismay when I find out that Instagram is not available in the Marketplace. I was livid. And no word from Microsoft as to when it’s going to be available? Disappointed was the understatement of the year.

I wake up this morning, open up my iPad (because we all know that Twitter holds the daily news) and low and behold. The first tweet I see:

This is a huge step for Microsoft. This one move could bring in a realm of new Windows Phone users that could put the company to the forefront of mobile industry. Systrom himself revelled in the moment.

“Our ultimate goal is to bring Instagram to everyone who wants to use it,” he said. “We’re looking forward to watching the Windows Phone community use Instagram to capture and share beautiful moments in the coming weeks.”

Systrom. Nokia. I thank you immensely. Watch this space.

P.S – You can find my Instagram page over on the right –>
]]>http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/10/its-an-instagram-moment/feed/2980I’m dreaming of a white…http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/03/im-dreaming-of-a-white/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/03/im-dreaming-of-a-white/#respondFri, 22 Mar 2013 04:14:37 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=855….Easter?

That’s right. It’s back. Once again I have awoken to a fluffy white blanket covering my garden. It has snowed once again.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to grumble about the snow. It makes everything look so magical. But it’s the affect it has on the country that really gets me down. As soon as we hear one weather warning about ‘possible snow flurries covering up to 5inches’ we’re doomed. The whole of the United Kingdom comes to a standstill. Schools are closed, people skip work because they’re ‘snowed in’, roads are blocked off. We just can’t cope.

I was stuck on the Runcorn bridge for 30 minutes yesterday because of snow on the road. It was manic. Horns were blaring, a few expletives were thrown around (not from our car of course!) and a lot of “Daddy, I’m bored!” was being cried.

Red Panda in the snow. Courtesy of Chester Zoo twitter.

But then this makes it all worth it. The adorable photos that we get. Puppies pouncing about in the fluffy, white stuff melts my heart. The above is in fact one of Chester Zoo‘s red pandas called Lushui. That has to be one of the most adorable faces I have seen.

So we can moan, groan and any other adjective ending in ‘oan’, but in the end, we love it.

]]>http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/03/im-dreaming-of-a-white/feed/0855The Biggest Show on Earth!http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/03/the-biggest-show-on-earth/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/03/the-biggest-show-on-earth/#respondWed, 06 Mar 2013 21:12:58 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=730Some of you may be thinking “Glastonbury is 3 months away. V Festival isn’t until August?!” However, if like me, you are what society calls a ‘book-aholic’, then you will surely know that I, of course, am talking about World Book Day!

Yes, tomorrow brings a day where 24 hours are dedicated to the enchanting and wonderful world of books. I remember as a child, getting dressed up for the day as my favourite book character, being given my £1 book token and racing down to my nearest book shop as soon as the clock hit 3.30pm. Books were, and still to this day are, my life.

One of the very first World Book Day deals I bought was a collection of poems including the work of Alan Ahlberg, which to this day is lurking somewhere in my room. I must say though, I am extremely jealous of this years choices. Works from the likes of Anthony Horowitz, Shirley Hughes, Tony Robinson and Lauren Child. How the children are going to pick, I don’t know.

One way in which us ‘grown-ups’ can take part however is with ‘The Biggest Book Show on Earth.’ An online 1 hour book festival streamed live,

I for one am more than excited to hear from the maverick that is Mr Anthony Horowitz (@AnthonyHorowitz) who brought us the critically acclaimed Anthony Horowitz series and more recently has brilliantly rounded off his Power of Five series with ‘Oblivion’. Horowitz will be discussing how to plant clues and build suspense in your writing, something we know he can do extremely well in the likes of Foyles War and Midsommer Murders!

Anthony Horowitz

Before we hear from Horowitz we get to hear from the lovely Lauren Child, creator of popular children’s series Charlie and Lola. She has also recently signed on with HarperCollins to write a six book series about Ruby Redfort, an undercover agent. Whilst I have never read her work, I am interested in hearing her views on character development and so will be all ears at 11.15am!

Just remember, tomorrow isn’t just for the children. So Mums & Dads, Aunties & Uncles, Grandparents join me in celebrating all things literary.

Happy reading folks!

]]>http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2013/03/the-biggest-show-on-earth/feed/0730Rule Britannia!http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2012/08/rule-britannia-2/
http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/2012/08/rule-britannia-2/#respondSat, 11 Aug 2012 22:00:53 +0000http://www.charlottewalton.co.uk/?p=501So…it has finally arrived! London 2012 has landed and has been absolutely brilliant! Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and the Olympics will be off our screens tomorrow…boo But here I shall highlight my top moments of the Olympics so far! (In no particular order).

1. Welcome to London. What can I say about the Opening Ceremony that hasn’t already been said? English countryside, industrial revolution, Bond Girl Queen, dancing nurses, 40 ft Lord Voldemort, flying Mary Poppins, piano playing Mr Bean, digital revolution, Team GB, Arctic Monkeys, Paul McCartney. It was a night that no one will forget.

Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

2. Women’s Football. This has been such a highlight for me over the past 2 weeks. I used to play for a local football team when I was younger, unfortunately quit because of multiple injury, and to see the status of women’s football being raised in such a massive way is so inspiring. Team GB played some absolutely amazing matches. Steph Houghton (@StephHoughton2) was my absolute heroine these past 2 weeks with 3 cracking goals in 3 games. Unfortunately they didn’t make it past the Quarter-Finals but played valiantly and I cannot wait for the season to begin again.

3. Golden Hoy. What an amazing man. 6 golds, the most any Brit has ever received in their whole career. He is the absolute dominator of the velodrome. The king on wheels.

4. Track and Field. Saturday 4th August. What a night for British athletes. Jessica Ennis, the poster girl of the 2012 Games won Gold in the Heptathlon. 10 minute later Greg Rutherford won the first British Gold in the Men’s Long Jump. Within an hour Team GB had secured 3 athletic Golds with Mo Farah winning the last of the night in the Men’s 1o,000m putting Team GB in 3rd place in the medals table.

5. Grainger and Watkins. 3 previous attempts. 3 silver medals acquired. It was only fitting that Katherine Grainger fulfilled her ultimate dream of Olympic Gold on home ground. Anne Watkins of course pulling half the weigh to help the due cruise to victory.

6. Golden Gymnasts. I am of course talking about Team USA’s five golden girls who won the Team Gymnastic gold medal, dominating over all of their rivals, including Team GB’s girls. McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and Kyla Ross showed a display for the history books with flawless performances on the vault, beam, uneven bars and the floor. Well done girls.

7. Magic Mo. I know I’ve already mentioned him winning the 1,500m but that wasn’t enough for Mo Farah. He’s expecting twins any day now so it’s fitting that he wins two golds to match.

8. Bolt of lightning. I am of course talking about the machine that is Usain Bolt. This man is gone in a flash and gave us two heart stopping finals in the Men’s 100m and 200m. Which he of course won. He then went on to win the Men’s 4x100m relay. What a week for Usain Bolt.

9. Diving Daley. Didn’t perform spectacularly in the preliminary rounds. Came out much better for his semi-final dives. The pressure was on for Daley to win Gold. It wasn’t meant to be but our boy gained himself a Bronze medal, a brilliant achievement for such a young man!

10. Wimbledon Winner. After losing out just 28 days prior on the Wimbledon title, Andy Murray came out and played the match of his life beating Roger Federer to the gold in straight sets. Murray seemed like a whole new man and didn’t falter during the entire week. It was double the victory for Murray who managed to secure another silver medal with Laura Robson in the mixed doubles later that same day. Well done guys!

So the Olympics has taken over the lives of millions these past 2 weeks, but all good things must unfortunately come to an end. Kudos to the BBC for putting on a fortnight of brilliant entertainment. Their coverage has been great, giving us the chance to watch sports we wouldn’t before think of.

It has been a fortnight of drama, sweat and tears, Team GB sit snugly in 3rd place with 29 golds and 62 medals in total. Every athlete taking part should be incredibly proud of themselves and their achievements. I know I am. So everyone enjoy the closing ceremony tomorrow, should be sure to send it off with a bang! And bring on Rio 2016!

xxx

P.S – Remember the Paralympics start on the 28th August as well so expect more sport talk soon!